Is the sole reason for the datatable so that you can get to the XML? If so, then yes, you need a different approach.
Your best bet would be to use XMLDocument and add nodes as needed.

There is also a way using XML Literals to create the xml "template" that you can then run through and it'll populate it with the data... not sure how it's done exactly but I'm sure if you search the forums for "xml literals" you'll find examples. I've seen it done a number of times.

-tg